Congratulations to the Irish Eventing team on their Team and Individual Silver at the World Equestrian Games

The Irish Eventing team made history on Monday at the FEI World Equestrian Games, winning the team Silver Medal, while Padraig McCarthy also took the individual Silver Medal. In the process the team also booked their ticket for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

We would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to the entire team, Cathal Daniels, Sam Watson, Padraig McCarthy, Sarah Ennis and their team manager Sally Corscadden. Not even Tropical Storm Florence could disrupt their challenge in North Carolina. With a final score of 93.0, the Irish team were just over one fence behind the Gold Medal winning team from Britain. Notably, Patricia Ryan who was competing as an individual, was the first Irish rider to jump in the final Show Jumping phase and she led the way for the remainder of the team with a great clear round.

This was an incredible achievement by all involved and we are immensely proud that Sarah, Sam, Cathal and Patricia are all former Irish Pony Club members. Sarah was a member of Howth Branch, placing second in the Irish Pony Club National Dressage Championships in 1996. Sam, an ex Tipperary Hunt Branch member recently spoke to some of our Irish Pony Club members at the Connolly's RED Mills Educational Evening in Cillín Hill, sharing his experiences of the life of an eventing rider at the top level. Cathal Daniels who is the youngest member of this Irish team was a member of Tynagh Branch for twelve years, notably winning the Irish Pony Club Combined Training Class 85 Members at the Dublin Horse Show in 2014. Patricia achieved her A Test with Carbery Hunt Branch and was a super mounted games player.

This is not the only link to the Irish Pony Club. Horseware Ardagh Highlight ridden by Sam Watson at the World Equestrian Games was produced by our very own Area 6 Show Jumping Representative, Tom Whyte from a 4 year old to an 8 year old. Tom and his family have produced many fine horses and it is not every day that you produce a silver medal winning horse. Well done Tom.

Wonderful success is not achieved in a moment. We would like to congratulate all of the people, trainers, owners, grooms, breeders and sponsors who contributed to this accomplishment. Well done to everyone involved for your professionalism, hard work and dedication. Hopefully, we will see many more of our Irish Pony Club members reaching for success into the future.